Fatal Case of Pulmonary Invasive Aspergillus after Heart Transplant with a Rapidly Progressive Course

Abstract

The incidence of invasive fungal infections is lower than that of bacterial infections in heart transplant recipients. However, they are always life-threatening. Clinical manifestations may range from asymptomatic colonization to disseminated infection. This complication is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in heart transplant recipients. Herein, we present on a cardiac transplant recipient who presented with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis quickly leading to death, in spite of early diagnosis and aggressive therapy. It just took 10 hours from the diagnosis to death. In other reports, this period was at least 12 days.